CWTGD Chapter 10 - Little troublemaker

Tangning suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of unspoken grievance.

Since her aunt passed away in her past life, she had been trapped in that small courtyard, watching the leaves fall outside, observing the changing seasons from spring to autumn. For a long time, no one had cared whether she was happy or not, whether she was crying or not.

Every time she eagerly awaited Song Jinxiu and the others to arrive, they either took away the few remaining belongings of her mother or criticized her for not being understanding enough.

When she was in pain, no one asked about it.

When she was ill, no one cared.

From initially feeling wronged and crying day and night, she eventually reached a point where she could no longer shed tears. Her eyes were so damaged that she couldn’t see clearly, yet until her death, no one noticed.

It had been a long time since anyone had bothered to make her happy.

"Why are you crying again?" Princess Cheng asked with concern.

Tangning's voice wavered slightly. "Aunt, my wound hurts terribly."

The pain was so severe that she could barely breathe, and each breath felt like it was tearing her apart.

Mrs. Wenxin was already stunned by the situation with the Song family. She quickly stepped forward. "Madam Song’s injury looks serious. How can it not hurt? We should take her to the Qian family’s back courtyard. I’ll send someone with my token to the palace to summon a physician."

"No need."

Today was a joyful occasion for the Qian family; summoning a physician would be quite disruptive.

Although Princess Cheng was impatient, she wasn’t unreasonable. She turned to Mrs. Qian and said, "Madam Qian, I apologize for the disturbance my reckless son caused to your celebration. Tangning’s injury is severe, so I will take her back to my residence to treat her wounds. I will come back later to apologize in person."

"Princess, don’t say that. It’s all a misunderstanding. Young Master Xie probably didn’t mean it."

Princess Cheng recalled Xie Yin’s cold expression. She didn’t respond to Mrs. Qian’s words but said, "Tangning’s injury cannot be delayed. I must leave now."

Mrs. Qian also noticed the serious injuries on Song Tangning’s face. Such injuries on any young woman would be a major concern, and she dared not keep Princess Cheng any longer. She hurriedly escorted her out, with Mrs. Wenxin following.

After they left, the hall was filled with murmurs.

People discussed the situation with the Song family, the issue of the illegitimate daughter being treated as a legitimate one, and the abandonment of Song Jinxiu’s biological sister. They were also shocked by Xiao Yan acknowledging Song Tangning as his sworn sister.

"Do you think what Lord Xiao said was true?"

"Would such a fierce person lie to you?"

"That’s true, but why would he take a liking to that Song family girl?"

The word "liking" was unequivocal, even though it carried a sense of envy.

Everyone knew that Xiao Yan was a ruthless figure, feared for his cunning and cruelty, but he also held a high position and wielded great power. A word from him was like a half-imperial decree. Even though ministers and elders privately scorned him, no one dared speak ill of him publicly.

Everyone envied his influence and wished to win his favor. But now, Xiao Yan seemed to have taken an interest in Song Tangning.

It wasn’t that people doubted Xiao Yan’s intentions towards Song Tangning—after all, everyone knew he was a eunuch—but receiving his protection was still highly enviable.

"What’s so special about Song Tangning? She seems ordinary to me. Her face is severely injured, possibly ruined, and the Song family is such a mess…"

"Shut up. Aren’t you afraid of what Xiao Yan might do to you?"

The person who spoke earlier looked around nervously and immediately closed his mouth, not daring to discuss Tangning any further.

Outside the Qian residence, Mrs. Wenxin whispered to Princess Cheng, "What’s the relationship between Lord Xiao and Miss Song?"

Princess Cheng shook her head, equally puzzled.

Mrs. Wenxin glanced at the carriage and said, "If your niece and the Song family are still in trouble, it would be a great blessing if they can receive Lord Xiao’s protection."

"Who needs his protection? I will protect Tangning myself!"

"Yes, yes, you will protect her."

Mrs. Wenxin had known Princess Cheng for many years and was aware of her temperament. Seeing that she was displeased, she didn’t dare say more, only pulling Princess Cheng aside and advising, "I know you’re impatient, but don’t act too impulsively regarding the Song family matter. After all, Miss Song is still a Song family daughter, and Young Master Xie is your son."

"You’ve beaten and scolded him today. When you return, have a good talk with him. Don’t let things get too awkward. If he loses face, it will affect the entire Cheng family."

Princess Cheng frowned. "I don’t like hearing that. He made a mistake, and the beating and scolding are what he deserves. It’s nothing if he loses face, but Tangning nearly lost her life because of him."

If Xie Yin’s actions were unintentional, she might not be so angry. But he was foolish for the sake of that Song Shulan.

Fortunately, Tangning was saved by Lord Xiao and didn’t suffer serious harm; otherwise, she would have slapped him twice as punishment, or even done something more severe.

Seeing that Mrs. Wenxin was about to say more, Princess Cheng directly interrupted, "Alright, I know my own matters. I won’t let the Song family get away with it. You should go back in now. I’ll leave first."

Mrs. Wenxin sighed and said, "If there are any issues, remember to have someone contact me."

Princess Cheng smiled. She knew that her friend, though cautious and different from her, was still loyal. Despite their differing opinions, their long-standing friendship meant she supported her own side. She said with a smile, "Don’t worry, if there’s anything, I will definitely come to find you. Don’t think you can escape."

"You!"

Mrs. Wenxin chuckled in amusement.

Princess Cheng got onto the carriage in a flurry of activity. Song Tangning whispered, "Aunt, I don't want to return to the Song family…"

She had taken Xiao Yan's earlier warning to heart. With Song Shulan's true identity revealed today, the Song family’s scandals—their illegitimate daughter being passed off as a legitimate one, and the fact that they had abandoned her on the mountain, causing her near-death—would spread throughout the capital. All these events would make the Song family’s situation unbearable.

It was Song Hong and his family who were anxious. If she returned to the Song family now, they would surely do as they did in her past life—argue and entangle her, even using their elder status to pressure her. Though she wasn't afraid of them, if a conflict arose and she did something excessive, the Song matriarch's outcry could turn public sympathy against her.

Princess Cheng didn’t think too much about it and said, "Return to the Song family? They treated you this way; why would you go back and let them bully you again? Come with me to the palace. I’ll deal with the Song family for you!"

"Aunt, please don’t go to the Song family."

"Why? Are you still protecting them?"

"I’m not protecting them. I just don’t want you to get entangled with them."

Tangning remembered that in her past life, after her aunt went to the Song family in a fit of anger, the Song matriarch had been so enraged that she "spit blood" and later "fainted."

Although her aunt was standing up for her, and Song Jinxiu’s actions were wrong, the situation had changed dramatically. Initially, people sympathized with her injury and understood her aunt’s anger, but as the story spread, it turned into her being seen as unreasonable, with accusations that her aunt was bullying the Song family and causing the matriarch’s illness.

The Song matriarch held a title, and with rumors circulating, the empress dowager had even issued a decree to reprimand her aunt. A significant part of why she had forgiven Song Jinxiu and the others so easily in her past life was to prevent her aunt from continuing to cause trouble and harming herself.

Tangning leaned on Princess Cheng’s shoulder and said, "Aunt, please listen to me. Don’t go looking for them, and don’t pay any attention to them."
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You can read ahead to chapterr 100 here

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